The True Tale Behind Alien Pancakes: A Tribute to the Strangest Breakfast Ever Served

At Tribute Brewing Company, we’re no strangers to the wild, the weird, and the wonderful stories of the Northwoods. But one tale from just across the border in Eagle River, Wisconsin has always captured our imagination—and our taste buds.

So, when it came time to name our newest beer, a lower ABV, easy-drinking British style ale with rich malt characters and mild hop bitterness, the answer was obvious:

Alien Pancakes!

Here’s why…

Breakfast with the Visitors: The Joe Simonton Incident

The year was 1961. The Cold War was chilling, Sputnik had already circled the globe, and UFO sightings were lighting up headlines. But nothing—not Roswell, not Area 51, not even War of the Worlds—could prepare the world for what happened in Eagle River, just a short drive from Tribute’s home base.

A local chicken farmer named Joe Simonton was enjoying a quiet morning when he heard a strange noise outside. Investigating, he saw a silver, saucer-shaped craft descending into his yard. The hatch opened, and out stepped three short, human-like beings dressed in black or navy jumpsuits. According to Simonton, they looked “Italian,” had dark hair, and were polite but… silent.

And what did these interstellar visitors want?

Water.

Simonton obliged, fetching them a jug of water. In return, they gave him something few Earthlings have ever claimed to receive from aliens:

Pancakes.

That’s right. Hot, steaming, extraterrestrial flapjacks.

Joe described them as rubbery, thin, and oddly tasteless. He later handed one over to local authorities, who sent it to the Food and Drug Administration for analysis. The result? The pancakes were made from earthly ingredients—flour, grease, and sugar—but were cooked on a greaseless metal surface, which remains a bit of a mystery.

Though Joe’s story drew skepticism and headlines alike, he never backed down. To the end of his days, he insisted he shared a peaceful (and slightly bland) breakfast with beings from beyond.

A Tribute to the Unbelievable

At Tribute Brewing, we believe in stories—especially the ones that make you do a double take. So, when we brewed a beer that was light, bitter, and just a little bit strange, we knew it needed a name that honored local folklore and out-of-this-world encounters.

Alien Pancakes ESB (Extra Special Bitter) is our homage to Joe Simonton and his intergalactic breakfast buddies. It’s brewed with a fluffy malt bill, layered with juicy hops that beam in notes of citrus and stone fruit, and finishes with a whisper of maple—just enough to make you wonder.

Is It Real? Who Knows. Is It Delicious? Absolutely.

Crack open a can of Alien Pancakes and toast to the weirdness that makes the Northwoods magical. Whether you believe Joe’s story or not, we can all agree on one thing:

Breakfast beers are better with a side of mystery.